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U2 Set List: Berlin, Aug. 31, 2018

Leg two of U2’s Experience + Innocence tour kicked off in Berlin tonight with some significant changes to the production and set list. The pre-show images remained the same, but the tour's app featuring the melting iceberg was not a part of the evening. The show began with the usual "breathe in" MRI images, but that transitioned into new footage from Germany in 1946 showing damage done after World War II and “The Great Speech For Humanity” from Charlie Chaplin’s The Great Dictator. “The Blackout” then opened the show.

The changes to the set list included “Red Flag Day” replacing “All Because Of You” / “Gloria” / “Electric Co.”; “Even Better Than The Real Thing” replacing “Desire”; “Summer Of Love” replacing “Staring At The Sun”; and a new mix of “New Year’s Day” replacing “American Soul.” As expected, the European flag became the backdrop during “New Year’s Day,” and Bono’s megaphone also resembled the European flag.

Bono’s introduction to “Even Better Than The Real Thing” referenced who heroes really are -- rock stars vs. nurses, firefighters and teachers -- and how he’s reminded that he’s too full of himself at times back on Cedarwood Road.

MacPhisto had quite a bit to say about the state of refugees in Germany. “"Don't look at me. Look at you, Berlin. You don't know what you've got, do you? This city -- so old, so new, so wonderful -- and it's yours. It's not anyone else's. You don't have to share it with people you don't know. You don't have to share it with foreigners. Maybe tourists. Foreigners -- I'm just back from America. It's full of foreigners. Everyone's a foreigner. But the good news is The Donald is on top of the situation. You could do with someone like that around here, and you have one come to think of it. What's her name? A, no no not Angela. I know her initials. AfD. Alternative für Demokratie. Initials are important. Mine's an M. MacPhisto. Not McDonald. I was a handsome devil some say. I still am. And, Berlin ... one last thing: it's when you don't believe that I exist, that's when I do my best work."

Bono apologized to Ali during his “call to home” between “Acrobat” and “You’re The Best Thing About Me,” saying he had missed their anniversary (Aug. 21) and he’d be home in a couple of weeks. He mentioned that she thought his hairdo looked like a potted plant on their wedding day, and how Adam was his best man for the ceremony.